Rhys in 2018

We no longer have a little baby or even a little toddler to share the antics of....instead we now have a full blown little boy!!  In April, he turned 2! The day after his 2nd birthday, I threw away his dummy and his bottle.  After looking for a dummy every day for the last 5 years, I was over it!  So it was cold turkey for the little boy but as with most things he took it well. 

 

 

 

 

Rhys Maxwell has hit the ground running (typical of the 3rd child).  He spends his day trying to keep up with the older two.  He also keeps a very close eye on his Daddy - not letting him out of his sight...

 

 

 

However, Darryn is still not keen to take two little boys to work, so most days Rhys and I potter around getting our jobs done.  Sometimes I take him down to the yards so he can at least be involved a little bit.  As you can see, its the highlight of his day!

 

 

 

Rhys also loves the beach - surfing and fishing.  Although his attention span is not conducive to successful fishing trips, he just loves to be involved.  We only have two fishing rods for the three kids and Rhys is usually the one who misses out!  Sometimes its the end of his little world, sometimes he couldn't care less!

 

 

 

 

He absolutely loves riding his horse.  He would ride her around all day if Darryn and I were willing to lead him.



 

 

Since Heidi has been at school this year, Rhys and Lewis have become good mates.  Rhys constantly asks me 'Where Ewis" when Lewis has gone with Darryn for the day.

 

 

Rhys has decided he doesn't need an afternoon sleep anymore - it seemed to be interfering with his escapades with Dad.  So come the end of the day this little two year old can barely eat his dinner before the day catches up with him and he is overcome by sleep....Lewis usually isn't too far behind him.

 

 









Lewis in 2018

On Heidi's first day of school this year, this little boy's world was turned upside down.  He didn't know how to function without his big sister bossing him around!  The first few weeks of school both Lewis and Rhys wandered around the house, unsure on what they should do.  They constantly asked me if it was time to go and pick Heidi up and he would get upset when Heidi had to go to school 'again' today!  It was quite funny to watch how lost they were without her.  It also showed what an integral part Heidi had played in 'leading' this pack.
After a month or so they realised that this is how life was now and Lewis started to find his feet.  He shifted his hero focus from Heidi to Darryn.  He is now Darryn's little mini man.  The first two questions Lewis asks me every single morning without fail is "Where's Dad?" and "Does Dad have jeans on?" He has also most recently taken up Darryn's love of fishing.

Barra fishing on the Styx River

Whilst we have only been invited once to go out on the boat with Darryn....

....Lewis is mastering the art of beach fishing.

He is happy to sit for hours and fish.  He doesn't even care if he isn't catching anything.  As long as he can cast his rod out and wind it in again - almost straight away - he is happy.  Lewis cries when the time comes to pack up and return home.

He is even starting to catch a few.

 

 

He is already on his second fishing rod.  He also reminds me every day that he wants a fishing shirt just like Dad's for his birthday.



Phase II in "I want to be just like my Dad" of course involves spending every day doing what Dad does.  Lewis gets deeply offended if Darryn is unable to take him to work.  Lewis has relished the role of 2IC.  He knows more about what's going on around the place than I do!  He comes home at lunch time full of stories about what his day has been filled with.  It could be anything from Darryn shooting a dingo to finding a dead cow somewhere to whether or not the dogs behaved themselves.  I really enjoy hearing his take on the events.

In between working and fishing he has also developed a keen sporting interest.  He and Darryn kick the footy around almost every afternoon.  He is constantly asking me to play tennis with him.  He is also showing a keen interest in cricket. 

And now, after attending Heidi's sports day, he is keen on all things athletic!

This beautiful little three year old absolutely idolises his Dad.  Anyone who knew Darryn when he was small comments on how alike he is to Darryn at that age.  He doesn't go anywhere without his shoes and socks on.  He will not wear jeans unless Darryn is. He will not wear a long sleeved shirt unless Darryn is.  He will only wear a cap if Darryn does.  He will only go to bed when Darryn does.  He only wants to go in the car if Darryn does.  His birthday request list includes a fishing shirt (just like Dad's), a watch (just like Dad's) and a smoko box (just like Dad's).  He's Daddy's boy!  Despite that fact that I feed and care for his general wellbeing - he barely notices my presence!  Lucky he's cute!!

Heidi in 2018

It has been a big year for this little girl.  In January, she started Prep!! Despite me feeling like we had not long brought her home from the Hospital as a newborn!

At 4 years and 10 months old she crossed the threshold on what is more than likely going to be a 13yr school journey.  Of course, she was filled only with excitement and anticipation at what lay ahead.

The School routine has taken a bit of getting used to for the whole family.  Most days I have to wake Rhys to go to the morning bus drop off (at 8am!!).  Until school started we had never had to rush to get anywhere by a certain time - oh how things have changed!  I am still to get used to the morning chaos that comes on a school day. 

School has obviously consumed Heidi's life.  She has had two "Student of the Week" awards. She won "Best Bonnet" at the Easter parade.

Heidi celebrated her 5th birthday on a school day and enjoyed cake with all her school friends.

Of course, school is not complete without sports! Firstly, Cross Country was tackled.  Heidi has inherited her Daddy's lungs so long distance running is not going to be a strong point in her sporting portfolio.  She did however run her little heart out.

Just this week we have enjoyed the Marlborough State School sports day.  Heidi received a 2nd place for 60m sprint, long jump and high jump.  She was so stoked with all her ribbons.

It hasn't been all school work for this little Preppie though.  We have been enjoying as much time at the beach as we can. My Mum and Dad have purchased a beach house at Zilzie in Emu Park.  It is absolute beachfront and very hard to stay away from!! We are so lucky.

 

 

As each day passes, our baby girl is fast becoming a little lady.  She loves all things sparkly but isn't afraid to get stuck in when there is work to be done. Of course now that she is five she assures us that she pretty much knows everything!  She has however asked me lately  "What snot is made of?"  Her inquisitive nature sees her question everything and her teachers often comment on how she is not afraid to ask 'why'.  2018 has been a big year for this little lady, but she has taken it in her stride and keeps on surprising us with all that she is able to achieve.